Bally’s plans to apply for a license for its Chicago casino later this month. The company plans to open a temporary casino next year, with the official building scheduled to open in 2025.
The Chicago casino project is making quick progress, despite a few lingering challenges.
Bally’s casino application
Construction at Bally’s casino is progressing well and is on track to begin soon.
Last month, the city approved the project.
Bally’s showed its dedication to the project by presenting a $40 million check to Chicago, much to the delight of Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
The casino’s first payment signifies Chicago’s dedication to its pension funds and shows the city’s support for its public safety professionals. Over the next few years, the Chicago Casino is expected to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for the city, with a large portion allocated for pensions.
After completing the necessary preliminary steps, the project is now in need of a casino license. The Illinois Gaming Board will review all materials once Bally’s submits its application.
If things go smoothly for the company, the application might be finalized by the end of the month.
If Bally’s is granted a license by the gaming board after submitting its application, it will start a quick construction schedule for the temporary casino.
Temporary casino timeline
Construction delays at Bally’s Chicago casino in River West mean that it will be several years before it is ready to open, limiting betting options for gamblers in the city.
The company’s temporary casino will resolve that issue.
During the construction of the main building, 800 table games and slot machines will be available in the temporary structure to serve the Chicago area.
The proposed temporary casino in Chicago, slated to open on Wabash Avenue next year, could be on an ambitious schedule.
In the end, everything hinges on how long it takes for Bally’s to secure its casino license.
The gaming board finally approved Hard Rock’s Rockford casino application in February 2021, two years after it was initially submitted in 2019.
A delay would greatly impact Bally’s current timeline, but the prioritization of the process in Chicago is expected to expedite the final stage.
The company anticipates that constructing its temporary casino will require approximately 12 months, regardless of whether or not Bally’s obtains a license.
Once Bally’s submits its application officially, progress will finally begin. The gaming board is anticipated to receive the paperwork before July, considering the current pace.
